Poets Andrea Abi-Karam and H. Melt celebrate the release of their new books Villainy and There Are Trans People Here. Both writers tackle queer and trans grief while honoring the people they love. Abi-Karam and H. Melt protest across time and space in their poetry and in the streets, at airports, in parks and diners, holding signs, wearing glitter, and fighting for anti-fascist futures. Please join us for a virtual reading and conversation centered on trans resistance.

Andrea Abi-Karam is the author of EXTRATRANSMISSION, a widely praised poetic critique of the U.S. military’s role in the War on Terror and winner of the Kelsey Street Press Firsts! Prize judged by Bhanu Kapil, and Villainy, which was selected by Simone White as winner of the NOS Prize. They are also the co-editor of We Want It All: An Anthology of Radical Trans Poetics. A performer as well as a poet and activist, Abi-Karam has truly given everything to write Villainy.

H. Melt is a poet, artist and educator whose work celebrates trans people, history and culture. They are the author of The Plural, The Blurring and editor of Subject to Change: Trans Poetry & Conversation. H. Melt was an artist in residence at the Newberry Library, researching the Chicago Protest Collection. They've attended the Lambda Literary Writers Retreat and the Tin House Workshop. Their latest book There Are Trans People Here includes a study guide for trans youth, teachers, artists, and readers interested in learning more about major themes in the poems including liberation, community care, and chosen family.